Speak by Design

Why Bringing Your Whole Self to Work Is a Trap: Authenticity and Executive Presence Authenticity is everywhere in leadership advice. Be yourself. Be vulnerable. Bring your whole self to work. But almost no one tells you where that advice quietly backfires, or how oversharing can cost a strong performer their credibility. In this episode, Stephanie Bickel sits down with Dominique Murray, a marketin...

How to Tell Stories That Win Buy-In: Storytelling for Executive Communication Most leaders know they need stories. Almost none feel ready to tell them. They worry they are not creative enough, that storytelling feels manipulative, or that they simply do not know where to begin. In this episode, Stephanie Bickel sits down with Mark Busse, a storytelling expert, executive coach, and speechwriter who...

Stop Getting Derailed in Leadership Meetings: How to Handle Pushback and Earn Buy-In Are you constantly getting derailed in meetings? You're not alone. In this episode, we break down why senior leaders interrupt, resist, and push back — and exactly what to do about it. Whether you're advocating for innovation, AI adoption, or organizational change, getting derailed by senior leadership can kill mo...

New here? Don't start here. Go back to Episode 1 and follow the sequence 1–50, designed as a private coaching journey. Today's guest is ahead of the curve and she has the data to prove it. Lisa Christensen leads learning design and innovation at McKinsey & Company, one of the most influential firms in the world. She is not guessing about where learning is going. She is building it. In this epi...

How to Rebuild Confidence as a Leader: Mindset Shifts for Executive Communication Many professionals appear confident on the surface. But underneath? They are battling anxiety, overthinking feedback, fear of judgment, and the pressure to always have the perfect answer. In this episode, Stephanie Bickel sits down with Madina Behori, one of the founding coaches inside Speak by Design University, to...

10 Communication Training Facilitation Tips That Actually Change Leadership Behavior After decades of coaching leaders, Stephanie Bickel has learned something important: Most communication training does not fail because the information is bad. It fails because people never practice the skill in a way that sticks. In this episode, Stephanie shares the top 10 communication training principles Speak...

2026 - Studying Great Speakers Episode 3: Alex Hormozi New here? Don’t start here. Go back to Episode 1 and follow the sequence 1–50, designed as a private coaching journey. Today’s speaker study is ROGUE YET RELATABLE. Alex Hormozi is not polished in the traditional sense. He is direct, structured, and relentlessly clear. He does not try to impress. He wants to be understood. And that is exactly...

Studying Great Speakers Episode 2: Robin Roberts New here? Don't start here! Go back to Episode 1 and follow the sequence 1–50, designed as a private coaching journey. Today's speaker study proves something many leaders still underestimate: warmth is not weakness. In the right hands, warmth is power. Robin Roberts is warm but not flimsy. Open but not sloppy. Expressive but never chaotic. Strong bu...

New here? This is not the place to start! Begin with Episode 1 and follow the sequence 1–50, designed as a private coaching journey. At Speak by Design, we analyze speakers by their style, structure, and strategy — and today's subject is one of the most quietly compelling leaders in business: Bob Iger, outgoing CEO of The Walt Disney Company. Iger officially hands the CEO role to Josh D'Amaro on M...

2026 Update | What's New at Speak by Design This episode is an update for our active clients, not a place to start. New here? Begin with Episode 1 and follow the sequence 1–50, designed as a private coaching journey. Stephanie Bickel is back with an exciting update on everything happening at Speak by Design in 2026 and there's a lot to share. What's covered in this episode: ➤ Sharpen and Elevate i...

What happens after the conflict is often more damaging than the conflict itself. Most of us retreat, replay the moment endlessly, or vent to the wrong people—quietly eroding trust and making repair feel impossible. In this episode, you’ll learn how to bounce back stronger with simple mindset shifts, powerful self-talk, and a heart-to-heart approach that restores confidence and connection. Tune in...

When the disagreement happens, how do you show up? Are you frowning? Raising your voice? Or cowering? The difference between leaders who crumble and those who command calm isn’t temperament. It’s a practiced mindset. Conflict doesn’t have to drain you; it can define you. The most influential leaders turn tense moments into turning points. In this lesson, we explore how to rise above the heat and h...

How do great leaders create lasting communication habits? If you have followed all 50 lessons you are now wondering, " How do I take what I've learned and turn it into lasting change?" Start with believing the change is possible and then build your desire for change. Want to deliver clearer updates, craft more compelling stories, and exude confidence every time you speak. You’ll learn the proven s...

How do you define a great coach? Is it someone who simply listens, or someone who motivates, guides, and teaches with clarity? In this lesson, we unpack the art of coaching—an essential skill for everyone, regardless of their role. Whether you're managing a team, working across departments, or guiding a peer, coaching is your chance to inspire growth and impact at every level. Join us as we explor...

Did you know the best coach you'll ever have is already with you—every moment of every day? It’s you. We’ll show you how to master the art of self-coaching, turning that critical inner voice into your greatest cheerleader. Through real-world scenarios and actionable strategies, we dive into what it means to truly coach yourself. Learn how to replace self-doubt with confidence, move past mistakes w...

Coaching Great Writing as a Leadership Skill Leaders, here’s a reality check: the presentation may impress in the moment, but it’s the written word that endures. Your emails, memos, and documents are what people reference, share, and rely on long after the meeting is over. That’s why great leaders don’t just write well—they coach their teams to write with clarity, impact, and precision. In this ep...

Sharing communication pet peeves with co-workers strengthens relationships and elevates communication immediately. This does more than formal performance reviews! Do you know what gets under your skin when someone speaks or communicates? More importantly, do you know what gets under your audience's skin? In this lesson, we explore the fascinating—and sometimes hilarious—world of communication pet...

Have you ever stopped to think about your own communication preferences? Do you expect email replies within hours? Do you prefer phone, video, email, or in person meetings? Or maybe you dread the ambiguous "check-in call" on your calendar? Here's the thing: unspoken preferences often lead to unnecessary friction and misunderstandings within teams. Leaders need to discuss communication styles with...

When you understand how power dynamics work, you can improve relationships around you immediately. This works at every level of the organization. Learn how to re-balance the power in one-on-one relationships. Maybe you need to give more power to your team members or take some power back. We will examine seven sources of power—from authority and expertise to charisma and knowledge of organizational...

Leaders, make your words count. Great leaders don’t clutter their speech with unnecessary descriptors or softening phrases. Instead, they use simple, clear language that sticks, crafting messages that are easily memorizable and impactful. In this episode, we delve into the art of choosing powerful words and positioning negative language to drive change without overwhelming your audience. Discover...

Do you feel like your meetings are missing the mark? You're not alone! Do you want to design meetings that improve culture and drive better business results? In this lesson, you'll discover how to transform your gatherings into memorable, impactful experiences that people will actually enjoy—and remember for years to come. Through real-life stories of leaders who mastered the art of gathering, you...

Do you have disengaged colleagues? Maybe some apathetic folks? This lesson is about the leader's ability to empower their team to create the culture. It’s not about dictating the values and hoping the team falls in line. It's about empowering each team member to actively shape the culture they want to thrive in. You’ll hear real-life examples of how we’ve helped organizations and teams take owners...

Unlock Your Team's Full Potential with Better Communication In this lesson, learn how to increase team effectiveness through communication and deeper relationships. If you've ever wondered how to inspire your team to work better together, maintain momentum, and even accelerate their productivity, this lesson is for you. We’ll explore how improving the relationships between team members—and between...

Do you need to shine a brighter spotlight on your ideas and initiatives at work? To create real impact, you need to be seen and heard. In this lesson, we explore how to boost your professional presence and get the visibility your ideas deserve. Whether you’re looking for small, actionable tips or big, bold strategies, we’ve got you covered. Discover how to: Ask smart questions that put you on peop...

Earning a promotion requires meeting expectations AND standing out as the obvious choice . In this lesson, we explore what it truly takes to campaign for that next level. The first step? Understand the measuring stick—what does your organization expect for the next role, and how can you clearly demonstrate your impact? But beyond meeting expectations, we explore how you can create undeniable visib...